TAWOG: Instinct

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker 

Gumball began to stir once more, the effects of the tranquilizer receding yet again, though this time he felt several times more delirious than usual. Wasn't surprising, he vividly remembered that Penny had had to dart him multiple times, rather than just once. He also remembered why. When he'd changed, the abyssalis cat had actually managed to dodge Penny's first few attempts to shoot him. Was the abyssalis cat learning? If that's the case, it was seriously not good. The tranquilizer was the only thing keeping the abyssalis cat under wraps, so if he's learning to evade the darts…

…Carrie had better hurry up and get that ink.

Groaning slightly, Gumball braced his elbows against the soft cushion of the couch and propped himself up. He briefly contemplated on whether or not he and Penny would get to do anything special together today before she'd have to tranq him again when the soft texture of the couch finally dawned on him. There wasn't anything even remotely like that where he had been squatting. In that instance, Gumball forgot all about his weariness, his eyes flying open to be met by not the bare sheet metal wall of Tina's room, but the interior of a house. But not just any house. Gumball instantly recognized the living room of the Fitzgerald's house, having become quite accustomed to the house where Penny lives, due to all the times he visited her here. 

Gumball bolted up on the couch he'd been laying on. How did he get here? He needs to get out of here, fast before anyone sees him. He made a beeline for the dining room, where the sliding glass door to the backyard was located. He dared not use the front door. Someone might see him. He might still be spotted if he left through the backyard, but not as likely.

“Gumball?!”

Gumball heard the sudden voice just as he entered the dining room, turning to see Patrick staring at him from the kitchen. Gumball let out a slight yelp of horror at the sight of his girlfriend's dad and raced for the sliding door.

For his part, Patrick was briefly dumbstruck to find Gumball up and about after seeing him so unresponsive recently. He'd left Gumball's side only briefly in order to use the loo, but apparently, in that short timeframe, Gumball had awoken as was now attempting to flee his house. And Patrick couldn't let that happen. In his opinion, Gumball still needed help, even though he’d woken up.

He made to pursue Gumball, and while Gumball had a good lead on him regarding the distance to the back door, as luck would have it, Gumball slipped on the phone receiver Polly broke that was still lying on the dining room floor, falling to the ground on his face, and by the time he scampered to his feet Patrick had gotten close enough to seize him by the waist from behind and hoist him up. Gumball instantly began thrashing and squirming, but was unable to wriggle free.

“Gumball, calm down!” insisted Patrick as he struggled to maintain his grip.

“Patrick, you need to let me go! Let me go now!” said Gumball insistently, frantically trying to pry Patricks arms off him.

“I can't do that, Gumball!” said Patrick, struggling just as much to maintain a grip. “You need to see a doctor! You have been missing for weeks! Don't worry! Your family will be here soon!”

But Patricks words had no success in calming Gumball down, who proceeded to struggle, while outside, the sun had slipped about halfway below the horizon and was continuously sinking further.

—

This fact was also realized by the current occupants of Cartax. At this rate there was absolutely no chance of getting to Penny's house before Gumball regressed. It really didn't help matters that they were eventually halted by an obstruction in the road. A really big obstruction. Hector was lying face down across the road.